Ligature Attachment Device

ABSTRACT

A ligature attachment device for use with a ligature is disclosed, the ligature attachment device comprising a proximal section comprising a loop retainer section, a distal section comprising a tool section, a central section comprising a central ligature spool section having a centrally located cinch aperture and the central ligature spool section is coupled to the loop retainer section and the tool section. The loop retainer section having a loop retainer profile configured to retain a loop of the ligature frictionally engaged with the central ligature spool section. The cinch aperture having an aperture shape configured to allow at least two sections of a ligature to be removably retained in the cinch aperture whereby the cinch aperture can removably retain the loop of the ligature. The tool section comprises a first tool for removably joining a second tool.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. App. No. 62,195,801, filedon Jul. 23, 2015, entitled “Ligature Attachment Means for Hooks,Eyelets, Pulleys and More”; this application also claims the benefit ofU.S. App. No. 62/213,930, filed on Sep. 3, 2015, entitled “Supplement 01for: Ligature Attachment Means for Hooks, Eyelets, Pulleys and More”;this application also claims the benefit of U.S. App. No. 62/358,041,filed on Jul. 3, 2016, entitled “Ligature Attachment Means, Supplement02; and In-Line Ligature Eyelet, Supplement 01”; this application alsoclaims the benefit of U.S. App. No. 62/365,376, filed on Jul. 21, 2016,entitled “Supplement 03 for: Ligature Attachment Means for Hooks,Eyelets, Pulleys and More; and all of the contents of each of theseapplications is incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR ASA TEXT FILE

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present ligature attachment device for hooks and eyelets relatesgenerally to the attachment of ligatures to hardware and equipment usedfor lifting, pulling, and securing, and more particularly to the simpleremovable termination of these ligatures without the need to tie oruntie them by the incorporation of a cinch configuration.

Description of Related Art

Standard hardware such as hooks, carabiners, and pulleys require one tobe knowledgeable in tying proper knots in order to securely terminate aligature such as rope, or cord, directly to them in order to make use ofthese tools without the ligature termination failing.

The FIG. 9 Carabiner™, patent pending, from Nite Ize Inc. of 5660Central Ave. Boulder Colo., is comprised of a pear shaped wire gatecarabiner having a set of hooks depending outwardly in oppositedirections from the bottom of a vertical member protruding downward fromthe opposite side of the carabiner as the wire gate, with all thesefeatures formed along the same plane. The hook pointing towards the wiregate of the of the pear shaped carabiner has smooth contours, while thehook facing the opposite direction in contrast, is made up of sharpsteep angles to bite into any ligature wedged between these two opposingsurfaces. The FIG. 9 Carabiner's™ carabiner portion is first latchedonto an anchor point, where a ligature that has been secured at anotherlocation is hooked around the smoother of the two opposing hooks andpulled tight, then wrapped around the bottom of the two opposing hooksand then up around and through the second wedge shaped hook and pulledtight so that the ligature is wedged deep into the “V” shaped mouth ofthe second hook. The ligature will stay taught and in place until pulledout from the “V” shaped wedge first, provided there is a constant staticload on the ligature. This device is an open loop termination, unlike aneyelet or quick link that are stronger closed loop terminations, whereasthe wire gate only serves to prevent unintended decoupling rather thanto enhance structural integrity.

The Fish Bone knotless Rope Tie, from Fish Bone knotless Rope Tie, P.O.Box 34595, Las Vegas Nev., is a flat device resembling a fish skeletonwhich provides a number of channels to wrap and cinch a ligature aroundat the mid-section and tail, while an eyelet and more channels at thehead allow the same ligature, or another ligature, to be fastened thereas well. This device is an open loop termination, unlike an eyelet orquick link that are stronger closed loop terminations.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following summary is included only to introduce some conceptsdiscussed in the Detailed Description below. This summary is notcomprehensive and is not intended to delineate the scope of protectablesubject matter, which is set forth by the claims presented at the end.

The ligature attachment device overcomes the disadvantages of the priorart by providing a simple and secure means for removably cinchterminating a ligature, while also having the ability to removablyfasten to almost any type of hardware or tool designed to incorporate aligature in its function. The ligature attachment device also provides asimple and easy removal of the ligature as well.

Because the cinch aperture is a closed loop, no matter what the shape,it is a far stronger ligature termination than any open loopconfiguration of the same size, shape, and material, for the simplereason that an open loop is like a link in a chain being cut on oneside, where when enough tensile force is applied to that chain, the cutlink will bend open at its maximum yield strength, and fail long beforethe uncut links will break at their maximum and much greater tensilestrength.

One example embodiment of the ligature attachment device for hooks andeyelets, also called a ligature attachment device, generally comprisesthree sections being: (1) a first ligature spool section with a cinchaperture to frictionally hold a ligature in place, (2) a loop retainerto prevent a looped section of the ligature from slipping off of thespool section and (3) a tool section to function as a tool or to couplethe ligature attachment device and ligature to a tool. The first sectionis the centrally located ligature spool section, also known as theligature spool, which a ligature can be wrapped around, while having atleast one centrally located cinch aperture for frictionally holding andcinch binding a ligature in place. The second section located at theproximal end of the ligature spool section is the loop retainer section,also known as the loop retainer, which prevents a looped section ofligature, which is wrapped around the ligature spool and frictionallyengaged, from slipping off the end of the ligature spool which wouldotherwise cause the ligature cinch termination to fail. The loopretainer section may contain at least one ligature aperture which keepsthe cinch termination taught and helps the ligature attachment devicehang in a more vertical position. The loop retainer section may alsocontain at least one ligature guide channel formed onto the loopretainer and adjacent ligature spool which keeps the cinch terminationtaught and ligatures together and helps the ligature attachment devicehang in a more vertical position. The loop retainer section may alsocontain an alignment pin and socket in order to keep two mating ligatureattachment devices aligned with each other and may contain at least onechamfer cut across the proximal end of the loop retainer in order to aidin separating the distal portions of the ligature attachment device. Thethird section being the tool section, also known as the tool, which maybe any one of a variety of linking devices such as but not limited to ahook, or an eyelet.

In some embodiments, two ligature attachment devices may be usedtogether as a multi-piece ligature attachment device when configured todo so, and where the tool section is in the form of a hook or eyelet.Where, when the two ligature attachment device's tool sections are ahook, they are paired together to form an eyelet and increase strength,and where the tool section is an eyelet, they are paired together toincrease strength. Any ligature attachment device designed to be pairedwith another, is equipped with a means for aligning the two, or a meansfor hinging them, or both.

In some embodiments, the ligature spool section is integrally attachedto the loop retainer section and the tool section, the loop retainersection has a loop retainer cross-sectional profile larger than aligature spool cross-sectional profile whereby the loop retainer sectionretains a loop of the ligature frictionally engaged with the ligaturespool section, the cinch aperture has a cinch aperture shape configuredto allow a first section of the ligature to be frictionally engaged witha cinch end of the cinch aperture, the cinch aperture shape furtherconfigured to allow a second section of the ligature to overlap and befrictionally engaged with the first section of the ligature whereby atensile force of the second section of the ligature increases thefrictional engagement of the first section of the ligature with thecinch end, and the tool section comprises a tool.

In some embodiments, the ligature attachment device comprises a proximalsection comprising a loop retaining means, a distal section comprising atool section, a central section comprising a ligature spool sectionhaving a cinching means, and the ligature spool section is integrallyconnected to the loop retainer section and the tool section. In someembodiments, the loop retaining means is configured to retain a loop ofthe ligature frictionally engaged with the central ligature spoolsection, the cinching means is further configured to allow at least twosections of a ligature to be removably retained in the cinching means,the cinching means is further configured to allow a first section of theligature to be frictionally engaged with the cinching means, thecinching means is further configured to allow a second section of theligature to overlap and be frictionally engaged with the first sectionof the ligature whereby a tensile force on the second section of theligature increases the frictional engagement of the first section of theligature with the cinching means, and the tool section comprises a tool.

Where there are a number of ways to use embodiments of ligatureattachment devices to removably terminate a ligature, one example methodis to first create a loop of a ligature by folding one end of theligature back on the longer section of ligature. Next take the loopedend and thread it through the widest part of the cinch aperture, pullthe loop through the cinch aperture, twist the loop ninety degrees sothat the ligature sections are aligned along the length of the cinchaperture and bring the loop forward over the tool section and around thespool section. Next, ensure the ligature section leading to the loadbearing section of the ligature is overlapping and providing africtional force to the other ligature section. Then, work out all theslack in the ligature configuration and push the section of the ligaturewrapped around the spool section as close to the loop retainer aspossible. The ligature is now securely and removably cinch terminated,and removing the ligature is as simple as reversing the steps used toterminate it.

The ligature attachment device can be produced for any size ligature aparticular application requires, where the ligature for which aparticular ligature attachment device is designed, would be the optimalligature size for that particular size ligature attachment device, butthat same ligature attachment device will also be able to accommodatesmaller diameter ligatures as well. Where for example, one size ligatureattachment device could be designed for ¾ inch diameter rope that willfit within its cinch aperture, but will also fit smaller diameterligatures such as but not limited to ½ inch rope, 3/16 inch cord, and ⅛inch string.

The advantages and features of the present invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art when the following description isread in conjunction with the attached drawings and the appended claims.

A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the manner in which the above-recited and other advantagesand features of the invention are obtained, a more particulardescription of the invention briefly described above will be rendered byreference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in theappended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typicalembodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered tobe limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explainedwith additional specificity and detail through the use of theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the ligature attachment deviceincorporating a hook as one example of how the tool section may beconfigured.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C are a sequence of images illustrating how a ligature isremovably cinch terminated to the ligature attachment deviceincorporating an eyelet as another example of how the tool section maybe configured.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C are perspective views of a pair of ligature attachmentdevices which are designed to align with pins and sockets, while alsohaving the ability to achieve a hinge like motion by rocking on fulcrumscreated by chamfer cuts into the edge of the loop retainersperpendicular to the devices central axis.

FIG. 4 1 is a perspective view a pair of ligature attachment devices inFIG. 3A with a ligature cinch termination.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E, 5F, are a set of 6 plan views of the ligatureattachment device in FIG. 3A.

FIGS. 5G, 5H, are two perspective views of the ligature attachmentdevice in FIG. 3A.

FIGS. 6A, 6B are two perspective views of the ligature attachment devicewhere the loop retainer has a ligature aperture that is cut through mostof its center, whereas a ligature guide is formed on the near side ofthe loop retainer spanning the ligature aperture.

FIG. 6C is proximal end view A-A of the ligature attachment device inFIG. 6A.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the ligature attachment device in FIG.6A with a ligature end cinch termination, and a spring hook attached tothe eyelet portion of the device.

FIG. 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, 8F, are a set of 6 plan views of the ligatureattachment device in FIG. 6A.

FIGS. 9A, 9B, are two perspective views of the ligature attachmentdevice where the spool, cinch aperture, and eyelet sections are combinedto form a shorter ligature attachment device.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the ligature attachment device in FIG.9A with a ligature end cinch termination, and a quick link attached tothe eyelet portion of the device.

FIG. 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E, 11F, area set of 6 plan views of theligature attachment device in FIG. 9A.

FIGS. 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, are a sequence of images illustrating how aligature end would be cinch terminated to the ligature attachment devicein FIG. 6A.

FIGS. 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E, 13F, are a sequence of imagesillustrating how a ligature fixed loop would be cinch terminated to theligature attachment device in FIG. 6A.

FIGS. 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, are a sequence of images illustrating how aligature rope switch configuration would be terminated to the ligatureattachment device in FIG. 6A.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the ligature attachment device in FIG.6A with two separate ligature cinch terminations, a fixed looptermination and a rope switch termination used for adjusting the heightof objects.

FIG. 16 is a set of perspective views of the ligature attachment deviceshown in five embodiments thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Ligature attachment device for hooks and eyelets and methods of use willnow be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.It will be appreciated that the device and methods disclosed herein havewide applicability. For example, the ligature attachment device forhooks and eyelets and methods of use may be readily employed withligatures such as but not limited to rope, cord, shock cord, webbing,electrical cord, string, or thread. Notwithstanding the specific exampleembodiments set forth below, all such variations and modifications thatwould be envisioned by one of ordinary skill in the art are intended tofall within the scope of this disclosure.

As used herein, in addition to the definitions used in the art, unlessotherwise specified, a length and a width is measured relative to alongitudinal axis of the ligature attachment device where the lengthruns in parallel to the longitudinal axis and the width runsperpendicular to that axis. A thickness is a thickness of the width asmeasured perpendicular to the axis and perpendicular to the width.

As used herein, in addition to the definitions used in the art, unlessotherwise specified, a cross-sectional profile comprises a width and athickness across a section element referenced.

As used herein, unless otherwise specified, a shape represents thelength and width of the referenced element similarly related to thelength and width of the ligature attachment device.

As used herein, unless otherwise specified, a proximal direction orlocation is a direction or location closest to where a ligature willextend to carry a tensile force applied to the ligature attachmentdevice and a distal direction or location is in the opposite direction,generally in the direction of a tool coupled to the ligature attachmentdevice.

One Example Embodiment of a Ligature Attachment Device

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designatescorresponding or similar elements throughout the views herein, FIG. 1 isa perspective view of one example embodiment of a ligature attachmentdevice 100 comprising a proximal section comprising a loop retainersection 130, a distal section comprising a tool section 150, a centralsection comprising a central ligature spool section 110 having acinching means, where a centrally located cinch aperture 120 is formed,and the central ligature spool section 110 is coupled to the loopretainer section 130 and the tool section 150. As shown, the loopretainer section 130 has a loop retainer cross-sectional profileconfigured to retain a loop of the ligature frictionally engaged withthe central ligature spool section 110, the cinch aperture 120 has acinch aperture shape configured to allow at least two sections of aligature to be removably retained in the cinch aperture 120 whereby thecinch aperture 120 can removably retain the loop of the ligature.

The ligature attachment device 100 is shown having a slot shaped cinchaperture 120 centrally located within the ligature spool 110 andcollinear with the ligature attachment device 100 center longitudinalaxis, and where an oval shaped loop retainer 130 is integrally formed atthe proximal end of the spool section 110, while the tool section 150 isintegrally formed at the distal end of the spool section 110, where inthis case a hook 151, which may be of any type, size, shape, ororientation a particular application may require, is shown as a toolincorporated into the design, where any tool which a particularapplication might require, such as but not limited to, an eyelet, or acarabiner, may be used in place of hook 151.

The ligature spool section 110 is located between, and integrally formedto the loop retainer section 130 and tool section 150, where all threesections are located along a center longitudinal axis of the ligatureattachment device 100, while at least one cinch aperture 120 is cutthrough the ligature spool 110 perpendicular to the center longitudinalaxis of the ligature attachment device 100. The side edges 113 of theligature spool 110 are slightly tapered proximately outwards as theynear the loop retainer section 130, where this is designed to tighten aligature cinch termination when pushed proximally toward the loopretainer 130, and alternately loosen a ligature cinch termination whenpushed distally toward the hook 151. However, the ligature spool 110side edges 113 may alternately be parallel, curved, or any other contoura particular application may require. The ligature spool 110 may alsohave any type of surface finish such as smooth, knurled, coarse, jagged,or any other surface finish a particular application may require, forthis and any other embodiment of the ligature attachment devicedisclosed herein, which will cause various degrees of friction on anyligature in contact with the ligature spool 110 surface.

Located centrally within the ligature spool 110 is at least one cinchaperture 120, which in this case, is a slot having a first end 121, asecond, cinch end 122, and linear sides 123 tangent with the first end121, and cinch end 122, where the cinch aperture 120 center longitudinalaxis is collinear with the center longitudinal axis of the ligatureattachment device 100. While most slot shaped cinch apertures wouldtypically be formed along the center longitudinal axis of the ligatureattachment device 100, the cinch aperture 120 may be of any orientationand placement a particular application may require. And while a slotshape is incorporated into this embodiment of the ligature attachmentdevice 100, any shape aperture may be used in place of it, such as butnot limited to a circle, rectangle, triangle, tapered slot, teardropslot, compound slot, or any other shape, size, and combination ofapertures, a particular application may require, for this and any otherembodiment of the ligature attachment device disclosed herein. Theligature spool 110 may also have any type of surface finish such assmooth, knurled, coarse, jagged, or any other surface finish aparticular application may require, for this and any other embodiment ofthe ligature attachment device disclosed herein, which will causevarious degrees of drag on any ligature in contact with the cinchaperture 120 surface. In some embodiments, the cinch aperture 120 is aclosed aperture with a continuous aperture interior wall defining theaperture. The cinch aperture is one example embodiment of a cinchingmeans to frictionally engage and retain a section of the ligature withthe ligature spool 110. The cinching means may be any method offrictionally engaging the ligature.

The loop retainer 130 is designed to prevent a looped section of aligature, which is frictionally engaged with the ligature spool 110 andpasses through the cinch aperture 120, from slipping over the proximalend of the ligature spool 110 and back through the cinch aperture 120.The loop retainer 130 accomplishes this by being wider than the ligaturespool 110, but may be of any type, size, shape, or orientation aparticular application may require, such as but not limited to, acircle, semicircle, or rectangle, which are wider than the ligaturespool and will keep the ligature loop in place. In some embodiments, theloop retainer may simply be an extension of the ligature spool 110 whichwill also keep the ligature loop from slipping off the proximal end ofthe ligature spool 110. The loop retainer 130 generally provides a loopretaining means to retain the loop on and frictionally engaged with theligature spool 110.

In this embodiment of the ligature attachment device 100, the toolsection 150, is in the form of a hook 151, which may be of any type,size, and orientation a particular application may require, while beingintegrally part of the ligature attachment device 100, where the shankof the hook 151 depends outwardly from the distal end of the ligaturespool 110, along the center longitudinal axis of the ligature attachmentdevice 100, with the bend of the hook 151 being furthest from theligature spool 110.

The tool section 150 may comprise any type of first tool or couplingdevice in order to removably join a second tool or coupling device tothe ligature attachment device 100, where some embodiments of the toolsection 150 may comprise at least one tool such as but not limited to,an eyelet, carabiner, or quick link of any size, type, and orientation aparticular application may require, for this and any other embodiment ofthe ligature attachment device disclosed herein. The tools section 150generally provides a means for coupling a tool, or another ligature, tothe ligature attachment device 100.

The ligature attachment device 100, and any other embodiments thereof,may be made of any material a particular application may require suchas, but not limited to rigid or semi-rigid materials, metal, polymer,elastomer, wood, or a combination of such. While additionally, theligature attachment device may be produced by any manufacturing processa particular application may require, such as but not limited to being,stamped or thermally formed from sheet material, machined from thickermaterial, molded with a shelled interior and structural ribbing, cast asone solid unit, or 3D printed.

The overall dimensions of any embodiment of the ligature attachmentdevice may be any dimension that is suitable for that particularligature and that particular application of the device. Where a ligatureattachment device is designed to operate with a particular ligaturesize, the same ligature attachment device may also be able toaccommodate smaller diameter ligatures as well. Where for example only,one size ligature attachment device could be designed for ¾ inchdiameter rope that will fit within its cinch aperture, that device mayalso fit smaller diameter ligatures such as but not limited to ½ inchrope, 3/16 inch cord, and ⅛ inch string. As another example only, wherea smaller ligature attachment device could be designed for ¼ inch ropethat will fit within its cinch aperture, that device may also fit 3/16inch cord and ⅛ inch string. As another example only, where a smallerligature attachment device could be designed for 3/16 inch cord or less,or where an even smaller ligature attachment device could be designedfor ⅛ inch string or less.

When the ligatures used are smaller than the optimal size for which theligature attachment device is designed, the smaller ligature may belooped around the ligature spool section at least one additionalrevolution when cinch terminating, for each time the size of the smallerdiameter ligature is divisible into the size of the optimal diameterligature. For instance, if a ⅛ inch string is being cinch terminatedonto a ligature attachment device designed for ¼ inch rope, the optimal¼ inch diameter rope is divisible by two of the ⅛ inch diameter,therefore the ⅛ inch diameter string would be wrapped two additionalrevolutions around the ligature spool. As another example, if a 3/16inch cord is being cinch terminated onto a ligature attachment devicedesigned for ¼ inch rope, the ¼ inch diameter rope is divisible by onediameter of the 3/16 inch cord, therefore the 3/16 inch diameter cordwould be wrapped one additional revolution around the ligature spool.The extra ligature revolutions are created around the ligature spool thesame way in which a rubber band is looped consecutively around a ponytail of hair, where to add additional loops, a looped ligature isrotated 180 degrees and then the loop is passed over either end of theligature attachment device and seated around the spool section of thedevice, and then repeated for any additional revolutions around theligature spool that are required.

Referring now to FIG. 2A which is the first of three images in asequence illustrating how a ligature 9091 would be removably cinchterminated to the ligature attachment device 200. In this exampleembodiment of the ligature attachment device 200, the tool section 150is in the form of an eyelet 152 where a looped section of ligature 9092is fed through the slot shaped cinch aperture 220 from the near side 201to the far side of the ligature attachment device 200, as indicated bythe arrow, with the folded back short lead 9093 closest to the loopretainer 230. Because the cinch aperture shape is a slot shape, thisencourages one of the ligature sections, here section 9093, to beoverlapped by another section, here section 9094. This overlap, togetherwith the frictional engagement of the ligature section 9093 against thewalls of the cinch aperture 220, provides a frictional resistance tokeep the ligature section 9093 from pulling back through the cinchaperture 220. The ligature section 9094 of ligature 9091 leads to theload bearing section of ligature 9091.

Referring now to FIG. 2B where the looped section 9092 of ligature 9091is rotated 90 degrees so that the ligature sections 9093, 9094 cross andoverlap as they pass through the cinch aperture 220, where the ligatureloop 9092 is pulled over the loop retainer 230 from the far side to thenear side 201 of ligature attachment device 200, as indicated by thearrow.

Referring now to FIG. 2C where the slack in ligature 9091 is taken outof the cinch termination 9090 by pulling and dressing the slack inligature 9091 in the direction indicated by the arrows until all theslack is removed, where the load lead 9094 may now have a load appliedto it by way of applying a load to the tool section 250, being theeyelet 252, provided the free end of the load lead 9094 has beenanchored elsewhere. As can be seen, the positioning of the ligaturesection 9094 against the surface of the ligature loop 9092 also providesadditional frictional resistance to keep the ligature section 9093 frombeing pulled back through the cinch aperture 220. Following the previoussteps in reverse will allow for easy removal of the ligature 9091 fromthe ligature attachment device 200.

The cinch termination 9090 is afforded its strong grip, by the ligaturespool 210 and cinch aperture 220 forcing the ligature 9091 to follow aseries of at least seven ninety degree bends, causing a tremendousamount of friction and drag on the ligature 9091, while the load lead9094 cinches down against the short free lead 9093 at the proximal endof the slot as a load is applied, forcing the short free lead 9093 to bewedged into the proximal end of the cinch aperture 220 slot, greatlycompounding the amount of drag and friction applied to the ligature9091, making it difficult for the load lead 9094 to be pulled out of theligature attachment device 200.

Referring now to FIG. 3A, the ligature attachment device 300 is amulti-piece ligature attachment device in the form of a pair of ligatureattachment devices 300A, 300B which are similar to the ligatureattachment device 100 in FIG. 1 with the exception of less rounded edgesand four additional features. The first two additional features comprisea male alignment pin 331 and a female alignment socket 332 which areincorporated into this embodiment 300 of the ligature attachment devicefor aligning and mating two ligature attachment devices 300A, 300Btogether. Each of the ligature attachment devices have a mating face 302which can be mated, mating face 302 to mating face 302, so that bothligature spools 310 and loop retainers 330 align with each other, andare prevented from moving out of alignment when the two ligatureattachment devices 300A, 300B are mated properly. In this embodiment,the male alignment pin 331 is located on the mating face 302 of the loopretainer 330, off to the side of the center longitudinal axis of theligature attachment device 300 while the corresponding female alignmentsocket 332 is located on the same mating face 302 of the loop retainer330, but located on the opposite side of the center longitudinal axisthan the male alignment pin 331, and positioned the same distance fromthe center longitudinal axis and the most distal edge of the loopretainer, causing both alignment devices to align with, and engage theirrespective mate, when the two ligature attachment devices 300A, 300B aremated together. There is enough draft and tolerance between thealignment pin 331 and alignment socket 332 that they can mate coaxially,and also at an angle without binding. The male alignment pin 331 andfemale alignment socket 332, may be of any other shape a particularapplication may require such as but not limited to a square, rectangle,or oval, provided the male alignment pin 331 fits within the femalealignment socket 332, where alternately the female alignment socket 332can be cut completely through the loop retainer 330 creating anaperture.

A third additional feature shown in the example embodiment of FIG. 3Acomprises a chamfer cut 335 into the mating face 302 of the loopretainer 330, perpendicular to the ligature attachment device 300 centerlongitudinal axis, and across the proximal end of the loop retainer 330.The adjoining edge of the chamfer cut 335 and the mating face 302creates a fulcrum 336 along the vertex of mating face 302 and chamfercut 335 face.

A fourth additional feature shown in the example embodiment of FIG. 3Acomprises at least one ligature aperture 333 where the ligature aperture333 shape comprises a rounded slot shape, but may be of any shape aparticular application may require, large enough to fit at least oneligature through, but may be of any size a particular application mayrequire. The ligature aperture 333 may be located anywhere on the loopretainer 330, but is typically located along the center longitudinalaxis of the ligature attachment device 300. The ligature aperture 333may serve several functions such as, helping to keep a cinch terminationfrom loosening by creating friction and drag on a load bearing sectionof the ligature, and causing the ligature attachment device 300 to hangin a more vertical position than without the ligature aperture 333.

While a hook 351 is used as an example of the tool section 350 for thisembodiment of the ligature attachment device 300, any device at all maybe used to substitute the hook 351 as a particular application mayrequire, such as but not limited to an eyelet.

Some embodiments of the ligature attachment device 300 may also be usedsingularly as a hook 351, or for example, an eyelet if the tool section350 of a single ligature attachment device is an eyelet.

Referring now to FIG. 3B, a perspective view is shown of the twoligature attachment devices 300A, 300B in the mated position, where thechamfer cuts 335 across the proximal edge of the loop retainers 330 arevisible, creating a wedge shaped chamfered gap, between the two loopretainers 330, while the hooks 351 face in opposite directions definingan eyelet shape 352 when mated together properly. The chamfer cuts 335create a chamfered surface on the mating face 302 of the ligatureattachment devices 300A and 300B.

Referring now to FIG. 3C, the loop retainers 330 are pressed together onthe outer face 301 at the chamfer 335, indicated by the opposing arrows,causing the two ligature attachment devices 300A, 300B to pivot againsteach other at the fulcrums 336, which cause two hooks 351 to separate.The hooks 351 are then able to engage and lock onto an object, while thealignment pins 331 and alignment sockets 332 stay partially mated, thushelping to keep the two ligature attachment devices 300A, 300B alignedwith each other.

The hooks 351 may then be brought together by pressing on the outerfaces 301 of the ligature attachment devices 300A, 300B anywhere thereis no chamfer cut 335, enabling the hooks 351 to lock onto anything thatwill fit within them, where this can be done before or after cinchterminating a ligature to the ligature attachment devices 300A, 300Busing the previously shown method at FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C.

Referring now to FIG. 4, an example embodiment of a ligature attachmentdevice 300 comprising two ligature attachment devices 300A, 300B isshown with the two devices in the mated position and hanging verticallywith a ligature 9091 cinch terminated 9090 to them. The ligatureattachment devices 300A, 300B incorporate ligature apertures 333 in theproximal portion of the loop retainers 330 in order to help the ligatureattachment device 300 to hang in a more vertical orientation, whilehelping to keep the load lead 9094 of ligature 9091 taught and fromallowing the cinch termination 9090 to loosen. This cinch termination9090 is slightly different from the one shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, wherethe ligature loop 9092 may be passed over the tool sections 350, ratherthan the loop retainers 330, which allows the load lead 9094 to bethreaded through the ligature apertures 333 before or after making thecinch termination 9090. As shown, the cinch termination 9090 andligature 9091 are wrapped around and through the two mated ligatureattachment devices 300A, 300B. This configuration helps keep the twoligature attachment devices 300A, 300B from moving out of alignment, andfrom being pulled apart, provided there is a load applied to theligature attachment devices 300A, 300B and load lead ligature 9094.

Referring now to FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E, 5F, a set of 6 plan views ofthe ligature attachment device 300 are shown with FIG. 5A being a rightside view, FIG. 5B being a distal end view, FIG. 5C being a front, orouter face 301, view, FIG. 5D being a proximal end view, FIG. 5E being aleft side view, FIG. 5F being a back, or mating face 302, view.

Referring now to FIGS. 5G, 5H, 2 perspective views of the ligatureattachment device 300 are shown with FIG. 5G being a perspective viewfeaturing the front face 301, FIG. 511 being a perspective viewfeaturing the mating face 302.

Referring now to FIG. 6A, a perspective view featuring the front face401 of another embodiment 400 of the ligature attachment device isshown, where unlike previous embodiments of the ligature attachmentdevice described herein, the loop retainer 430 shape is a rectangularshape and its side edges 438 are tangent with the rectangular ligaturespool section 410 edges 411, which in turn are tangent with the outsideedge 455 of the tool section 450 eyelet 452 causing the sides of theligature attachment device 400 to be linear and parallel with eachother. It is anticipated that the sides of the ligature attachmentdevice may be tapered, curved, or any other shape a particularapplication requires.

In the example embodiment of FIG. 6B, a large ligature aperture 433 isformed centrally within the loop retainer 430 and is contoured insidethe outer perimeter of the loop retainer 430 and along its border withthe ligature spool 410, while being large enough to retain four sectionsof ligature within In this embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 6C, at leastone ligature guide 440 is formed on at least one side of the loopretainer 430, in the shape of an inverted “U” channel.

Referring again to FIG. 6A, the ligature guide 440 may be partiallyformed on the ligature spool 410 as well, in order to enhance theligature attachment device 400 strength, while centered on, and runningparallel to, the center longitudinal axis of the ligature attachmentdevice 400, straddling the ligature aperture 433. The ligature guide 440having a shape large enough to retain at least two optimal sizeligatures within, however, the ligature guide 440 may be of any size aparticular application may require. A proximal end 441 of the ligatureguide 440 may be slightly chamfered and angled towards its center inorder to aid in insertion of at least two ligatures. The distal end 442of the ligature guide 440 may be more aggressively chamfered and angledtowards its center so that at least four sections of ligature can bepassed through this opening and out through the ligature aperture 433for lied in the loop retainer 430. The large ligature aperture 433 mayserve as an aid in threading ligatures through the ligature guide 440,while the loop retainer 430, combined with the ligature guide 440, helpsto keep a cinch termination from loosening by containing ligatureswithin, while also causing the ligature attachment device 400 to hang ina more vertical position.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the cinch aperture 420 shape is a compound slotshape formed centrally within the ligature spool 410, comprising twodifferent width slots connected collinear end to end as one combinedslot, with a first slot being a dress slot 426 wide enough to allow atleast two sections of an optimal diameter ligature to pass throughfreely. In this embodiment, the dress slot 426 is located distally froma second slot being a grip slot 427 that is narrow and long enough tolightly grip at least two sections of an optimal diameter ligature. Inthis embodiment, the grip slot 427 is approximately 60 percent of thewidth of, and located proximal to, the dress slot 426, with the totalcinch aperture 420 having a length being long enough to allow at leastfour sections of an optimal diameter ligature to be removably retainedwithin whereby the cinch aperture 420 can removably retain at least twoloops of an optimal diameter ligature. The cinch aperture 420 has asmooth transition 425 between the dress slot 426, and the grip slot 427,allowing a ligature to be slid from one of the slots to the otherwithout snagging on the transition 425 between the two.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the tool section 450 shape is an eyelet shape 452,comprising at least one eyelet 452 having an outer perimeter 455 that istangent with the side edges 411 of the ligature spool 410. In thisembodiment, the tool section 450 is integrally part of the ligatureattachment device 400 where a proximal portion of the eyelet 452 isformed integrally within the tool section 450, while the distal portionof the eyelet 452 is depending outwardly from the tool section, alongthe center longitudinal axis of the ligature attachment device 400.

An eyelet 452 is used as an example herein, but any tool may beincorporated into the tool section 450 of the ligature attachment device400, as a particular application may require. It is anticipated that thetool section 450 shape may be of any size, shape, or orientation which aparticular application may require.

Referring now to FIG. 6B a perspective view featuring the back face 402of the ligature attachment device 400 is shown, where an unobstructedview is afforded of the large ligature aperture 433 that is formedcentrally within the rectangular loop retainer 430.

Referring now to FIG. 6C, proximal end view A-A of the ligatureattachment device 400 is shown, where the ligature guide 440 is formedon the near side 401 of the loop retainer 430.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a perspective view of the ligature attachmentdevice 400, is shown with a cinch termination 9090 of a ligature 9091securely and removably fastened to the proximal end of the ligatureattachment device 400, while a spring hook 9081 is removably fastened tothe eyelet 452 at a distal end of the ligature attachment device 400.

Referring now to FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, 8F, a set of 6 plan views areshown of the ligature attachment device 400 with FIG. 8A being a rightside view, FIG. 8B being a distal end view, FIG. 8C being a front view,FIG. 8D being a proximal end view, FIG. 8E being a left side view, FIG.8F being a back view.

Referring now to FIG. 9A, a perspective view featuring the front face501 of another embodiment 500 of the ligature attachment device isshown, where this embodiment 500 is similar to the ligature attachmentdevice 400 in FIG. 6A, except that the eyelet end 452 and dress slot 426have been merged in order to form a multi-function compound slot 520where the distal end radius 521 of the dress slot 526 has been enlargedto the size of the eyelet 452 in FIG. 6A. The sides 523 of the dressslot 526 are tangent with the large radius slot end 521 and are alsotangent with the smooth transition 525 between the dress slot 526 andgrip slot 527, making the dress slot 526 a tapered dress slot 526 thattransitions 525 to the grip slot 527. This merging of the eyelet 552 anddress slot 526 allows for an overall shorter ligature attachment device500, as compared to ligature attachment device 400.

While the tool section 550, eyelet 552, ligature spool 510, and cinchaperture 520 are merged in this embodiment 500 of the ligatureattachment device, there still remains a distinct border separatingthese features which is drawn across the ligature attachment device 500at the point where the outer curved profile 555 of the eyelet 552 joinsthe ligature spool 510 linear edge 511, whereby the tool section 550 andeyelet 552 are located on the distal side of this border, and theligature spool 510 and cinch aperture 520 are located on the proximalside of this border.

Referring now to FIG. 9B, a perspective view featuring the back side 502of the ligature attachment device 500 is shown, where an unobstructedview is afforded of the large ligature aperture 533 that is formedcentrally within the rectangular loop retainer 530.

Referring now to FIG. 10, a perspective view of the ligature attachmentdevice 500, is shown with a cinch termination 9090 of a ligature 9091securely and removably cinch terminated, while a quick link 9082 isremovably fastened to the tool section 550 eyelet 552.

One Example Embodiment of Methods of Using a Ligature Attachment Device

There are a number of ways to use embodiments of the ligature attachmentdevice described above to removably terminate a ligature to the device.One method is to first take six to eight inches of ligature from alonger length of ligature and fold it back on the longer section ofligature. Next take the looped end and thread it through the proximalend of the ligature guide if applicable, then through the widest part ofthe cinch aperture from the near side to the far side with the shorterfolded back end of the ligature closest to the loop retainer. Pull theloop through the far side of the cinch aperture about four inches, thentwist the loop ninety degrees and bring it forward over the tool sectionto the near side. Next, work out all the slack in the ligaturetermination and push the termination as close to the loop retainer aspossible. Any lose ligature or ligature end, may be threaded into orthrough any ligature apertures, or guides designed for holding them inplace. The ligature is now securely and removably cinch terminated,while removing the ligature is as simple as reversing the steps used toterminate it.

Referring now to FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E, 11F, a set of 6 planviews are shown of the ligature attachment device 500 with FIG. 11Abeing a right side view, FIG. 11B being a distal end view, FIG. 11Cbeing a front view, FIG. 11D being a proximal end view, FIG. 11E being aleft side view, FIG. 11F being a back view.

Referring now to FIG. 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, a series of sequential stepsare shown to illustrate an example method of removably cinch terminatingan optimal size ligature 9091 to the ligature attachment device 400. Inthese images, each step is represented by the letter “S” in conjunctionwith a step number and placed within a circle as not to be confused withreference characters. It is understood that these methods are notlimited to the ligature attachment device 400. For example, these samemethods may also be used for creating a ligature end cinch terminationto the ligament attachment device 500.

Referring now to FIG. 12A where in step 1 a length 9093 of ligature 9091approximately six inches long is folded back on a longer length 9094 ofthe same ligature creating a loop 9092 at the fold.

Referring now to FIG. 12B where in step 2 the loop 9092 is passedthrough the proximal end 441 of the ligature guide 440, where in step 3the loop 9092 is passed through the dress slot 426 from the near side401 to the far side, with the short lead 9093 closest to the loopretainer 430, where in step 4 the loop 9092 is rotated ninety degrees sothat the ligature leads 9093, 9094 cross sides as they pass through thecinch aperture 420.

Referring now to FIG. 12C where in step 5 the loop 9092 is pulled upover the eyelet 452, from the far side to the near side 401, where instep 6 all the slack is drawn out of the cinch termination 9090 andpulled through the dress slot 426 from the far side to the near side401, where in step 7 the load lead 9094 is pulled proximally through theligature guide 440 to remove the slack.

Referring now to FIG. 12D where in step 8 the cinch configuration 9090is slid proximally toward the loop retainer 430 and into the grip slot427, where the grip slot is made only narrow enough to hold the ligaturefrom moving around, and is not designed to grip the ligature very hard,as it is the drag and friction of the cinch termination 9090 itself thatprevents the ligature 9091 from being pulled out of the ligatureattachment device 400. While in step 9 both the short lead 9093 and loadlead 9094 are pulled proximally through the ligature guide 440 to removeany additional slack, while at this point the ligature 9091 is removablycinch terminated to the ligature attachment device 400. In order toremove the ligature 9091, the steps are simply followed in reverse.

Referring now to FIG. 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E, 13F, a series ofsequential steps are shown as a method of removably cinch terminating anoptimal size ligature 9091 to the ligature attachment device 400 inorder to create a fixed loop configuration which could be used forhanging the ligature attachment device 400, or for a variety of otherapplications. In these images, each step is represented by the letter“S” in conjunction with a step number and placed within a circle as notto be confused with reference characters, while this same method mayalso be used for creating a fixed loop cinch termination to the ligamentattachment device 500.

Referring now to FIG. 13A, where in step 1 a length of ligature 9091approximately ten times the length of the ligature attachment device 400is folded back on itself creating a loop 9092 and two ligature leads9093.

Referring now to FIG. 13B, where in step 2 the loop 9092 is passedthrough the ligature aperture 433 from the far side toward the near side401 of the ligature spool 410, where in step 3 the loop 9092 is passedthrough the dress slot 426 from the near side 401 to the far side, wherein step 4 the loop 9092 is brought around the right side of the ligaturespool 410.

Referring now to FIG. 13C, where in step 5 the ligature leads 9093 inthe dress slot 426 are slid down into the grip slot 427, where in step 6the ligature leads 9093 are pulled out from the far side of the ligatureaperture 433 to remove any slack.

Referring now to FIG. 13D, where in step 7 the loop 9092 is wrappedaround the ligature attachment device 400, from right to left and acrossthe near side 401 of the ligature attachment device 400 to the far side,where in step 8 the loop 9092 is fed back through the dress slot 426from the far side of the ligature attachment device 400 to the near side401, where in step 9 the loop 9092 is fed proximally through the distalend of the ligature guide 440, and out the proximal end.

Referring now to FIG. 13E, where in step 10 all the slack is drawn outof the fixed loop cinch termination 9095, where in step 11 the slack ispulled through the dress slot 426, from the far side of the ligatureattachment device 400 to the near side 401, where in step 12 the loop9092 is pulled proximally through the ligature guide 440 to remove theslack, while at this point the ligature fixed loop cinch termination9095 is secured.

Referring now to FIG. 13F, where in step 13 the fixed loop 9092 of thefixed loop termination 9095 can be used to suspend the ligatureattachment device 400, and where in order to remove the ligature 9091,these steps are simply followed in reverse order.

Referring now to FIGS. 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, a series of sequential stepsare shown as a method of removably cinch terminating an optimal sizeligature 9091 to the ligature attachment device 400 in order to form arope switch termination 9096, having a locked position 9096A and anunlocked position 9096B. In these images, each step is represented bythe letter “S” in conjunction with a step number and placed within acircle as not to be confused with reference characters.

Referring now to FIG. 14A, where in step 1 an end 9093 of ligature 9091is first passed through the dress slot 426 from the far side to the nearside 401, where in step 2 the ligature end 9093 is brought around theleft side of the ligature attachment device 400 to the far side, wherein step 3 the ligature end 9093 is passed through the eyelet 452 fromthe far side to the near side 401 and then under the ligature loop 9092on the left, where the ligature end 9093 is pulled up until the ligatureloop 9092 cinches down on ligature end 9093, creating the rope switchcinch termination 9096 in the locked position 9096A.

Referring now to FIG. 14B, which illustrates how once the rope switchcinch termination 9096 in the locked position 9096A is created using thesteps in FIG. 26A, where the load lead 9094 is locked from being pulleddownward and out of the rope switch cinch termination 9096. The ropeswitch 9096 is in the locked position 9096A as indicated by the downwardpointing arrows and the “X”, because the ligature loop 9092 on the leftside of the ligature attachment device 400 is cinching down on theligature end 9093. However, the ligature end 9093 can still be pulledupward with some force, as indicated by the upward pointing arrows andthe check mark, thus retracting the load lead 9094.

Referring now to FIG. 14C, which illustrates that when the ligature loop9092 is moved from the left side of the ligature attachment device 400to the right side, where the rope switch is in the unlocked position9096B, as indicated by the curved arrow, and is no longer resting on topof the ligature end 9093. Where the load lead 9094 is now easily pulleddownward, as indicated by the downward pointing arrows and the checkmark, while still allowing the ligature end 9093 to be pulled in anupward direction, as indicated by the upward pointing arrows and thecheck mark. Where in other words, the ligature 9091 can now be pulled ineither direction.

Referring now to FIG. 14D, which illustrates that in order to set therope switch configuration 9096 back to the locked position 9096A, theligature loop 9092 is simply pushed back to the left side of theligature attachment device 400, as indicated by the curved arrow, andthe load lead 9094 is once again locked from being pulled out of therope switch cinch termination 9096, as indicated by the downwardpointing arrows and the “X”.

Referring now to FIG. 15, the ligature attachment device 400 is shownwith two separate ligature terminations, a fixed loop termination 9095and a rope switch termination 9096. This combination of cinchterminations with the ligature attachment device 400 would be ideal forhanging and adjusting the height of a fender 9083 for a boat, a greenscreen background, or anything else that that can be hung from aligature and requires its height to be adjustable.

Referring now to FIG. 16, a collection of various embodiments of theligature attachment device is shown in order to illustrate some of theembodiments of which the ligature attachment device may be configured,depicting one embodiment of the ligature attachment device 100 with ahook as its tool, another embodiment of the ligature attachment device200 with an eyelet as its tool, and another embodiment of two matingligature attachment devices 300 which creates an eyelet, still anotherembodiment of the ligature attachment device 400 having an eyelet as thetool section, while having a rectangular loop retainer with a ligatureguide disposed on its front side, and lastly an embodiment of theligature attachment device 500, where its eyelet, ligature spool, andcinch aperture, are merged into a combination of these features.

Although this invention has been described in the above forms with acertain degree of particularity, it is understood that the foregoing isconsidered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention.Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur tothose skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention tothe exact construction and operation shown and described, andaccordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resortedto, falling within the scope of the invention which is defined in theclaims and their equivalents.

I claim:
 1. A ligature attachment device for use with a ligature, theligature attachment device comprising: a proximal section comprising aloop retainer section; a distal section comprising a tool section; acentral section comprising a ligature spool section having a cinchaperture located centrally; the ligature spool section coupled to theloop retainer section and the tool section; the loop retainer sectionhaving a loop retainer cross-sectional profile configured to retain aloop of the ligature frictionally engaged with the ligature spoolsection; the cinch aperture having a cinch aperture shape configured toallow at least two sections of a ligature to be removably retained inthe cinch aperture whereby the cinch aperture can removably retain theloop of the ligature; and the tool section comprising a tool.
 2. Theligature attachment device of claim 1 wherein the tool comprises a firsttool and the first tool is configured to removably couple a second toolto the ligature attachment device.
 3. The ligature attachment device ofclaim 2 wherein a first tool comprises a hook.
 4. The ligatureattachment device of claim 2 wherein a first tool comprises an eyelet.5. The ligature attachment device of claim 1 wherein the ligature is arope.
 6. The ligature attachment device of claim 1 wherein the ligatureis a rope having a diameter of no greater than about ½ inch.
 7. Theligature attachment device of claim 1 wherein: the ligature spoolsection has a rectangular shape with a width and a length configured tocontain a cinch aperture; the loop retainer is formed at a proximal endof the ligature attachment device; and the tool section is formed at adistal end of the ligature attachment device.
 8. The ligature attachmentdevice of claim 1 wherein the cinch aperture shape is a slot shape. 9.The ligature attachment device of claim 1 wherein: the cinch apertureshape is a compound slot shape formed centrally within the ligaturespool; and the compound slot shape comprising two different width slotswhich are connected collinear end to end as one combined slot, whilehaving a smooth transition between the two slots.
 10. The ligatureattachment device of claim 1 wherein: the loop retainer shape comprisesan oval shape; the oval shape having a length along a longitudinal axisof the ligature attachment device; the length being shorter than a widthperpendicular to the longitudinal axis; and the oval shape width beinglarger than a width of the ligature spool section.
 11. The ligatureattachment device of claim 1 wherein: the loop retainer section having arectangular shape; the loop retainer positioned adjacent to a proximalend of the ligature spool section; and a length of the rectangular shapealong a longitudinal axis of the ligature attachment device is at leastone half of a length of the central ligature spool section.
 12. Theligature attachment device of claim 1 wherein the loop retainer furthercomprises at least one ligature aperture.
 13. The ligature attachmentdevice of claim 12 wherein the ligature aperture has a slot shapeconfigured to allow at least one section of a ligature to be removablyretained in the ligature aperture.
 14. The ligature attachment device ofclaim 12 wherein the ligature aperture has a contoured shape following aperimeter of the loop retainer and a border of the loop retainer withthe ligature spool, leaving a frame of the loop retainer configuredlarge enough to allow at least four sections of the ligature to beremovably retained in the ligature aperture.
 15. The ligature attachmentdevice of claim 14 wherein the loop retainer further comprises: at leastone ligature guide, formed on at least one side of the loop retainer;the ligature guide having a ligature guide shape of an inverted “U”channel; the ligature guide shape straddling the ligature aperture; theligature guide shape being large enough to allow at least two sectionsof a ligature to be removably retained in the ligature guide; and theligature guide may also extend partially onto the ligature spool. 16.The ligature attachment device of claim 1 wherein a mating face of theloop retainer further comprises at least one male alignment pin wherebythe male alignment pin is positioned to engage with at least one femalealignment socket of a second ligature attachment device.
 17. Theligature attachment device of claim 1 wherein: a mating face of the loopretainer further comprises at least one female alignment socket wherebythe female alignment socket is positioned to engage at least one malealignment pin of a mating ligature attachment device; the femalealignment socket comprising at least one interior wall that defines anopen void within the loop retainer's mating face; the female alignmentsocket being of a shape and size able to removably mate with a similarlyshaped male alignment pin within its interior; and wherein the matingbetween the male alignment pin and the female alignment socket allowsthem to align both collinear and at an angle to each other withoutbinding.
 18. The ligature attachment device of claim 1 wherein: theligature attachment device comprises a multi-piece ligature attachmentdevice comprising the ligature attachment device and a second ligatureattachment device; the second ligature attachment device comprising asecond tool section and a second mating face; the loop retainer furthercomprising an outside face surface and an inside face surface; theinside face surface having a mating face surface and a chamferedsurface; the chamfered surface located at a proximal portion of theinside face surface; a vertex of an adjoining edge of the mating facesurface and the chamfered surface defining a fulcrum on the inside facesurface perpendicular to a center longitudinal axis of the ligatureattachment device; the chamfered surface configured to define a chamfergap between the chamfered surface and a second chamfered surface whenthe mating face surface is flush with the second mating face surface ofthe second ligature attachment device; the chamfered surface configuredto define a tool gap between the mating face surface and the secondmating face surface at a distal portion of the ligature attachmentdevice when the chamfered surface is flush with the second chamferedsurface of the second ligature attachment device; the tool section ofthe ligature attachment device comprising a hook having a hook opening;and the second tool section of the ligature attachment device comprisinga second hook having a second hook opening positioned on an oppositeside of the ligature attachment device whereby the hook and the secondhook form an eyelet shape when the mating face surface is flush with thesecond mating face surface and whereby the hook and the second hook maythen be separated and able to removably engage a third tool.
 19. Theligature attachment device of claim 1 wherein: the tool section, thespool section, and the cinch aperture are merged together; the toolsection is an eyelet merged with the distal end of the cinch aperture; adistal end of the cinch aperture to be as large as the eyelet, thuscausing the side edges of the wider slot to be tapered distallyoutwards, creating a tapered slot being the wider section of thecompound slot, where the narrower slot walls of the compound slot remainparallel with each other, while having a smooth transition between thetwo slots.
 20. The ligature attachment device of claim 1 wherein: thetool section comprises a first tool and the first tools is configured toremovably couple a second tool to the ligature attachment device; thefirst tool shape comprises an eyelet shape; the ligature is a rope; theligature is a rope having a diameter of no greater than about ¾ inch; aligature spool shape of the ligature shape comprises a rectangular shapehaving a length along a longitudinal axis of the ligature attachmentdevice and a width perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; the length ofthe rectangular shape being at least wide and long enough to contain acinch aperture centrally within its perimeter; the cinch aperture shapeis a compound slot shape formed centrally within the ligature spool; thecinch aperture shape comprising two different width slots connectedcollinear end to end as one combined slot and having a smooth transitionbetween the two slots; a loop retainer shape of the loop retainer is arectangular shape adjacent to the ligature spool's proximal end andhaving a loop retainer length of at least half of the length of theligature spool; the loop retainer further comprises at least oneligature aperture; the ligature aperture having a ligature apertureshape contoured to follow the perimeter of the loop retainer whereby theloop retainer comprises a frame configured large enough to allow atleast four sections of the ligature to be removably retained in theligature aperture; the loop retainer further comprises at least oneligature guide formed on the loop retainer; the ligature guide may alsoextend partially onto the ligature spool; and the ligature guide havinga ligature guide shape of an inverted “U” channel straddling theligature aperture and large enough to allow at least two sections of theligature to be removably retained in the ligature guide.
 21. A methodfor cinch terminating the end of a ligature to the ligature attachmentdevice of claim 1, the method comprising: providing a ligature having anend section and a load section, folding the end section back onto theload section creating a ligature loop; the ligature loop having a shortlead and a long lead; passing a portion of the ligature loop through anyligature guides if available; passing a portion of the ligature loopthrough the cinch aperture with the short lead positioned closest to theloop retainer; rotating the portion of the ligature loop ninety degreesand pulling the portion of the ligature loop over either the loopretainer section or the tool section of the ligature attachment device;and pulling and working the ligature long lead around the ligature spooland through the cinch aperture whereby any slack is drawn out to theload section of the ligature, where finally, the entire cinchtermination is moved as close to the loop retainer as possible whiledrawing out any additional slack, where the long lead of the ligaturecan be threaded through any ligature apertures if available in order tocomplete the cinch termination.
 22. A ligature attachment device for usewith a ligature, the ligature attachment device comprising: a proximalsection comprising a loop retainer section; a distal section comprisinga tool section; a central section comprising a ligature spool sectionhaving a cinch aperture; the ligature spool section integrally attachedto the loop retainer section and the tool section; the loop retainersection having a loop retainer cross-sectional profile larger than aligature spool cross-sectional profile whereby the loop retainer sectionretains a loop of the ligature frictionally engaged with the ligaturespool section; the cinch aperture having an aperture shape configured toallow a first section of the ligature to be frictionally engaged with acinch end of the cinch aperture; the aperture shape further configuredto allow a second section of the ligature to overlap and be frictionallyengaged with the first section of the ligature whereby a tensile forceon the second section of the ligature increases the frictionalengagement of the first section of the ligature with the cinch end; andthe tool section comprising a tool.
 23. A ligature attachment device foruse with a ligature, the ligature attachment device comprising: aproximal section comprising a loop retaining means; a distal sectioncomprising a tool section; a central section comprising a ligature spoolsection having a cinching means; the ligature spool section integrallyconnected to the loop retainer section and the tool section; the loopretaining means configured to retain a loop of the ligature frictionallyengaged with the central ligature spool section; the cinching meansfurther configured to allow at least two sections of a ligature to beremovably retained in the cinching means; the cinching means furtherconfigured to allow a first section of the ligature to be frictionallyengaged with the cinching means; the cinching means further configuredto allow a second section of the ligature to overlap and be frictionallyengaged with the first section of the ligature whereby a tensile forceon the second section of the ligature increases the frictionalengagement of the first section of the ligature with the cinching means;and the tool section comprising a tool.